Gonzales City Council to amend utility disconnection ordinance

Gonzales City Council meets at 6 p.m. tonight, Tuesday, Jan. 9, to discuss several city issues, including amendments to the city's utility disconnection/resumption ordinance.

The City of Gonzales is considering an ordinance amendment to Section 13.211 Disconnection of Service for Nonpayment, to be written as:

"If any bill is not paid by or before that date, a second bill will be mailed on the day following the initial due date, containing a cutoff notice that if the bill is not paid within ten days of the mailing of the second bill, service will be discontinued for nonpayment; and"

The disconnection code is currently written as:

"If any bill is not paid by or before that date, a second bill will be mailed containing a cutoff notice that if the bill is not paid within ten days of the mailing of the second bill, service will be discontinued for nonpayment; and"

Council will also discuss Ordinance Section 13.212 Resumption of Service, to be written as:

"Any consumer of the utility services furnished by the city whose utility services have been disconnected or terminated for the nonpayment of the rates and charges therefor may have such utility services resumed by paying all rates, charges, deposits and penalties due by the customer to the city plus a reconnection fee set by the city from time to time. The amount due shall not include any amounts for which a bill has not yet been received by the customer."

The resumption code is currently written as: "Any consumer of the utility services furnished by the city whose utility services have been disconnected or terminated for the nonpayment of the rates and charges therefor may have such utility services resumed by paying all rates, charges and penalties due by him to the city plus a reconnection fee set by the city from time to time.”

Also under ordinances, council will discuss and consider with possible action: Ordinance #2018-1 adopting a Budget Amendment for the 2017-2018 Fiscal Year by decreasing Capital Expenditures in the Solid Waste Fund; Ordinance #2018-3 Ordering a General Municipal Election to be Held on May 5, 2018, for the Purpose of Electing One City Council member for Single Member District No. 1 and One City Councilmember for Single Member District No. 2; and, Ordinance #2018-4 Closing and Abandoning to the abutting Property Owners Portions of Certain Unimproved Streets

Under Resolutions council will discuss and consider, with possible action the approval: Resolution #2018-1 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with Texas Youth Rodeo Association (TYRA); Resolution #2018-2 Declaring the Golf Equipment (Vert- Drain Level Spike) as Surplus and Authorizing the Sale or Exchange of Said Property; and, Resolution #2018-3 Authorizing the Appointment of a Member to the Gonzales Economic Development Corporation.

Under Staff and Board Reports council will accept a Financial Report for the Month of December 2017; and the City Manager Report to present to Council accomplishments of staff during the month of December 2017.

Council is set to enter into Executive Session tonight to discuss several matters.

Pursuant to Section 551.071 of the Texas Government Code, the City of Gonzales will consult in closed session with its attorney to receive legal advice regarding pending or contemplated litigation, a settlement offer, or matter in which the duty of the attorney to the governmental body under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of Texas clearly conflicts with this chapter”, to include the following matters: Cause No. OTH17-9886, in Re-Estate of J.B. Wells, Jr., Deceased, in the County Court of Gonzales County, Texas.

Pursuant to Section 551.074 of the Texas Government Code, the City of Gonzales will meet in closed session to deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee: Annual Performance Evaluation and Consideration on Renewal of the City Manager Contract.

Upon returning to open session council will discuss and consider any action resulting from Executive Session as necessary.